Copying camera



1; Sheets-Sheet l 1 r3.1... TIDYL C. LIEBMAN COPYING CAMERA v Filed Feb. 18, 1958 Oct. 8, 1940.

v,En

. Oct. 8, 1940. c. LIEBMAN COPYING CAMERA Filed Feb. 18, 1938 11 snetswsheet 2 Marks Zzmwz/ C. LIEBMAN COPYING CAMERA Oct. 8, 1940.

1l Sheets-Sheet I5 Filed Feb. 18, 1938 a 2J y C. LIEBMAN COPYING CAMERA- Oct. 8, 1940.

Filed Feb. 18, 1938 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 IlllllllllllIllti www C. LIEBMAN COPYING CAMERA 11 sheets-shee 5 Filed Feb. 18, 1958 Oct. 8, 1940. c. LIEBMAN 2,217,120

COPYING CAMERA Filed Feb. 18, 1938 11 sheets-sheet s Oct. 8, 1940. C, LIEBMAN n l 7, l 20 COPYING mmm Fned Feb.. 18, 1958 11 sheets-sheet 7 c. LJE'BMAN CQPYING CAMERA- Oct. 8, 1940.

Filed Feb. 18, 1938 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 Oct. 8, 1940. c. LIEBMAN COPYING CAMERA Filed Feb. 18. 1938 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 'llllllllllllllllllll f @CL 8, 1940. C* UEBMAN COPYING' CAMERA Filed Feb. 18, 1938 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 f m H7/, I L.. m L1 11 I.; L ffl T: 0\ ir. 5

C. LIEBMAN COPYING CAMERA' Filed Feb. 18, 1958 l1 Sheets-Sheet l1 j? fen/07".

rained oa. s, 111110 UNITED] sTATEs PATENT ovl-FICE n como emita d cm1. nehm calmo, n1. Application February 1s, 193s, sei-u1 No. 191,121`

y v12 claims. (c1. 11s- 24) This invention relates to a copying camera and more particularly to a machine for photographically copying records and the like.

Oneoi.' the objects of my invention is to provide a copying camera. which is automatically operated after the starting switch is closed and which is foolproof during operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a copying camera in which the magazine is undetachably locked` to the camera while the machine is in operation. i

Another object ofrmy invention` is to provide acopying camerain which the exposure opening of the magazine is closed before the magazine is removable from the camera.

Another object of my invention is to provide a copying camera which is locked against movement with relation'to the object being copied while the camera is in operation.

Another object of my invention a copying camera in set in operation the subsequently the lights and` shutter are then simultaneously operated for photographic exposure of the film.

Another object of my inventionV is to provide a, I

copying camera in which the supporting table t' fis formed-of a plurality of sections, each independently movable so that the surface of the object to be photographed can-be positioned on a flathorizontal plane with respect to the camera, regardless'of the diiierences of depth or various Darts of the object.

Another object is to provide a copying camera in which the light chamber, camera and pressure plate are movable as a unit.

Another object is to provide a copying camera.

in which the camera remains in aiixed relationship to the pressure plate.

y Another object is to provide means for effecting a light seal between the pressure plate and supporting table. d n

Anotherobject is to provide a housing for use with copying'cameras whichhas a pressure plate adapted to be positioned on the object to be copied and which has a camera mounted on said housing in-fixed relationship to said plate.

Another vobject of my invention is toy provide a copying camera which is neat and compact in yconstruction and economical to manufacture.

Other objects will become apparent as this de',- scription progresses.

In the drawings: Y Figure 1 is a front elevational view showing my copying camera:

` magazine slide;

which after the machineis lm is rstadvanced, and

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof; Figure 3 is a top plan view showing more particularly the supporting table;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 3; 5

Figure 5 is a top plan view showing more particularly the actuating mechanism;

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a view taken on the line 1-1 oi 1 Figure 5, showing the switch adapted to be operated by the movement of the clamping hooks;

Figure X8 is a view taken on the right hand side of Figure 5, showing the switch operated by the Figure 9 is a view taken on `the line S-I of u Figure 6 showing the manner of locking the slide when the slide is in its retracted position.

Figure 10 is a side elevational view taken on the line I0-I0 of Figure 5;

Figure 11 is a plan view of the actuating mechanism;

Figure 12 is a view taken on the lines l2--I2 of Figure 11 of the actuating mechanism;

Figure 13 is a cross sectional view taken on the gg line i--II or Figure 12 showing the sprocket wheels in engagement with the nlm;

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 13, but showing the sprocket gears out oi' engagement with the film;

Figure 15 is a cross sectional view showing the clamping' hooks in engagement with the loops to lock the magazine to the housing;

Figure 16 is a cross sectional view showing more particularly the take up spool and the means for rotating said spool;

Figure ll is a cross sectional view taken on the line l1-I`l of Figure 16; I

Figure 18 is a view taken on the line l-II of Figure 16;

Figure 19 is a diagrammatic view of the-electrical circuit in connection with my machine.

Referring to Figures 1,'2, 3 and 4, my copying camera comprises a base indicated generally at 20, which is provided with a table 2i on which the object to be photographically copied is placed. Secured to the base are a pair of upright posts 22 and 23 winch through brackets 24 and 25 serve to support the camera housing 26. 0n top of said housing I place the magazine compartment 21 which retains the lms.

Base and support table The base 20 is provided with an upright portion 20a upon which is suitably secured a cross support 30. The cross support is provided at equally spaced distances with vertically extending guiding bosses 3i in which are supported vertically movable rods 32. The lower end of the rods are flanged as at 33 to limit the upward movement thereof, while secured to the upper end of each of said rods is a substantially rectangular plate 34. Surrounding the rod and serving to maintain the rod in its uppermostl position is a coiled spring 35. It will be noted that the plates can each be moved vertically independent of the other and the movement of one does not affect the movement o! the others. Mounted on each plate is a sponge rubber section 36. Permanently secured to said sponge material is a plush or velvet material 31. Supported on the base is a housing generally indicated at 28, which encloses the supporting rods. 'I'he housing is divided into eight sections each oi which have a side member 38a and a. narrow anged portion 38o, which forms the border for the table. Supporting each of said border sections are a pair of rods 32a. (only one being shown in Fig. 4) which rods are supported in bosses 3 la and spring raised similar to the rods 32. As seen the border sections are maintained in raised position, and each of the border sections are movable vertically independently of the other. Secured to the top of each border section is a plate 34a., a sponge material 36a and a plush or velvet section 31a similar to the plates 34.

The rear of the base is provided with a pair of upright supports 4| and 42, each of which retains the vertical post 22 and 23 respectively. As shown in Figure 1 the post 23 is provided with teeth 23a to be engaged by a rack bar 43 presently to be described. Vertically slidable on said posts are a pair of U shaped bracket arms 24 and 25 to which is secured the camera housing 26. It will be seen that the camera housing can be moved up or down on the said posts, provided the rack bar 43 is not in engagement with the teeth 23a on the post. Positioned on the post 22 are a pair of adjustable collars 44 and i5 which serve to limit the upward or downward movement of said housing on said posts. Secured to the top of the vertical posts 22 and 23 are a pair of inclined bars 46 and 41 which serve to support a pulley 48. Suitably supported on the bracket 25 is a solenoid 49 which operates the rack bar 43 to engage the teeth on the post. The other end of the rack bar is secured to the opposite bracket 24 by a spring and rod 50 which normally serve to retain the rack bar out of engagement with the teeth, and only when the electrical circuit through said solenoid is closed with the rack bar be in engagement with the teeth on the post to positively lock it in engagement therewith and prevent any relative movement of said housing on said posts.

Housing As heretofore mentioned the entire housing is secured to the bracket arms to be moved therewith. As more particularly shown in Figure 1, the housing is provided with a pair of lateral wing sections 5i and 52 which merge into the vertical sections of the housing. In the upper corners of the wing sections I provide the illuminating means 53 and 54 such as the incandescent lamps which are used for the purpose of illuminating the interior of the housing at the time an exposure takes place. To close the bottom of the housing I provide a plate o! refractory transparent material 55 which permits penetration of light rays. Lining the wing sections of the housing is a reflecting surface 5la and 52a which serves to reiiect the rays of lights. The lamps 53 and 54 are positioned with relation to the lens of the camera 65, so that the angle between the lamps and perpendiculars raised from the edges (55a and 55h) of the glass plate 55 is greater than the angle between such perpendiculars and the lens. By this positioning the angle of incidence to the glass plate of all rays of light from the lamps and from the reflecting surfaces 5Ia and 52a. of the wings 5| and 52, will be such as to cause all such rays to be refiected to points beyond the camera lens, thus eliminating glare. Furthermore the reflecting surfaces will diiuse and equalize the distribution of light on the objects to be photographed. As will be seen more particularly in Figure 4, the object 55 to be photographically copied is placed upon the table and the housing 26 is lowered until the plate 55 comes in contact with the object. If the object to be photographed has any depth, the pressure caused by the downward movement of the housin*7 will cause the sections 36 of the supporting table to be depressed to the extent necessary to accommodate the depth oi' the object. As shown in Figure 4, two of the sections are depressed to provide the necessary accommodation for the depth of the article while at the same time the border sections remain undepressed. If the object to be photographed is uneven, such as where pages of a book are to be photographed in which one section has a greater depth than the other, the plates will be depressed to accommodate the difference produced by the varying depths, likewise if the object is wrinkled or rough, the sponge table or velvet will provide the necessary give so that the surface 55 of the housing will rest fiat on the object and will also smooth out any wrinkles in the object and press the surface into focal plane against the plate 55.

Magazine Detachably secured to the top of the housing is the magazine 21 which supports the film. Referring specifically to Figures 6 and 12 it will be seen that the magazine has a housing 50, the bottom of which has a ridge 5i which fits into a groove 62 provided in the top of the housing 28 to position the magazine on the housing. The bottom'of the magazine housing has an exposure opening 63 which registers with the opening 54 provided in the top of the housing 26 and in which opening is suitably retained the camera 55. 'I'he magazine housing is provided with a side openings 60a through which is slid the slide 10. The opposite end of the slide when fully inserted rests in a supporting recess 60h. Secured to the top of the housing 26, I provide a pair of channel locking bars 66 which when the slide is drawn outwardly in retracted position (as shown in Fig. 9) will rest Within the channel bars and thus prevent the magazine from being removed from the housing, while the slide is in this position. It will be understood that with the slide in fully inserted position as shown in Fig. 6, the slide will be out of engagement with the channel bars 66. This prevents any accidental exposures which might take place if the magazine were removed from the camera housing without the exposure opening 63 closed. On the opposite side of the housing I provide a latch 60c which engages the magazine as 60d and with theslide in its in" position and the actuating mechanism out of engagement with the film as will presently the housing by slightly tilting it and releasing the latch. Within the magazine housing I provide a pair of film spools 10 and 1|, one of which, 10, serves to support the unexposed nlm and the other the take-up spool. 1 i, supports the iilm after it has been exposed. As the iilm comes from the spool, 10, it passes under a transverse guide roller 12 then travels longitudinally over the exposure opening 88, then under another Vguide roller 18 and onto the takeup spool 1|. Directly over the exposure opening and suitably secured to the bottom of the magazine housing, I provide an adjustable pressure plate generally indicated at 14 which by means of an adjustable spring tensioned plate 1l which lrests against the nlm tlattensV the film as-v it .comes directly over the opening.

Actudting mechanism Pivotally secured tothe inside of the housing as at 18 is a support 11zon which is mounted the actuating mechanismV 18 for advancing the film. Referring specically to Figures 6, 10, 1l, 12 and 16, I provide a pair of journals 18 on the support on which is supported a transverse shaft 80. Flxedly mounted on said shaft are a pair of sprocket wheels v8| and 82 whose teeth extend into the magazine, when in position for operation, through suitable openings therein, for engagement with the film openings 83. Fixedly mounted on said shaft is a pulley 84 which is adapted through a spring belt |38 to drive the `takeup film roll 1|. Also ilxedly mounted on said shaft is a gear 85 which drives a chain of gears 88. The pinion gear 81 ofthe gears drives centrifugal acting braking arms 88 which engages the drum ofthe braking member 88. It will thus be seen that with the rotation of the gears 86 the braking arms are urged outwardly into braking engagement with the drum, thus the speed of the sprocket gears, advancing4 the ii1m,'is' evenly regulated.

Fixedlysecured to the other side ofthe shaft" 80 (Fig. 12) is a vratchet gear, 80 which is to be engaged by a pawl 88 when the pawl moves in a counterclockwise direction. Also loosely mounted on said shaft is a sleeve 8| which has an up standing rockable arm support 82 which carries the pawl 88 and an oppositely directed pawl 84, both of which are vspring tensioned, and are adapted to engage the oppositely rotating ratchet gears 80 and 85l respectively. Loosely mounted on the sleeve is an insulated bushing 88 which fixedly supports the ratchet'gear 85 to be engaged by the pawl 84 when the pawl moves in clockwise direction. Also xedly mounted on said bushing is a metal commutator disc 81' having insulated sections 88` therein.- This' plate is in electrical contact with a pair oi brushes 88 and 88a which are connected in the electric circuitpresently to y be described. It will be understood that in certain positions cf the disc an electrical circuitis com- |04 (Fig. 10) which, as the plate is rotated in pleted through said brushes, while in other positions of the said disc the electrical circuit is open. Also fixedly mounted von said shaft is a pinion gear supported between two plates |0| and |02 which pinion gear is adapted to be engaged and operated by a rack bar |08 presentlyl to be described. The pinion gear has teeth extending only around a portion of its circumference. kSecured to the outside plate |02 is a cam member clockwise direction, serves to trip a shutter mechanism generallyindicated at |05 (Fig.l2)'.

nut. Also suitably supported on the arm support 11 is a solenoid and core |08 to which is secured v the rack |08 which engages with the pinion |00 and serves to impart a rotary motion thereto. The opposite end of the rack vhar is secured as by a spring |01 to an arm |08 which in turn is securedl to the supporting arm. Secured to the core |08 is a bar |85 which passes under the pinion |00 and which serves to prevent the rack `|08 from moving upwardly out of the plane oi movement. It will be understood that normally the core and rack |08 are in the position shown in Figure 10 but that when said solenoid is energized, as will more presently be described, in the electrical circuit, the rack is then moved inwardly orto the left as shown in Figure 10 imparting a counterclockwise movement to the pinion |00 and to the sleeve 8| and arm 82. As the arm 82 moves 1 counterclockwise the pawl 88 will engage the `teeth on the ratchet gear 80 to move the gear counterclockwise and simultaneously move the shaftv 80 and sprocket wheels 8| and 82 counterclockwise. vThe pawl 84 will override the teeth on the gear 85. However as soon as the solenoid |08 is demagnetized by the opening of the circuit .the tension of the spring |01 will move the rack |03 in the opposite direction, i. in a clockwise rotation and impart the same rotation to the pinion |00, sleeve 8|.' support arm 82 and to the pawl 84, which in turn will engage the teeth on the gear 85 to rotate said gear and the electrical commutator plate 81 clockwise to bring the metal segments into engagement with the brushes 88 for the closing of an electrical circuit. As the sleeve 8| moves in a clockwise direction, it will rotate with it the plate |02 which carries the cam member |04 to trip the pawl |08, which in turn will pivot the lever |0 and move lever to the right (shown in Fig. l0) to open the shutter ||2 on the camera lens for an exposure. It'will be seen that with the counterclockwise movement of the plate |02 that the cam will actuate the pawl in the opposite direction and no motion will be imparted to the lever and hence no action is imparted to the shutter. Secured to said pivotal -arrn support 11 is a spring ||5, the opposite end -ing 26 (Figures 13 and 14), I provide a shaft ||8 on which is iixedly mounted a cam member ||1 and a pair of hook members ||8. The hook members are adapted to engage suitable clamping loops |8 formed'on the under side of the magazine, which loops extend through suitable openings in the top of the housing to be engaged by said hooks and which lock said magazine to said housing. With the cam in position as shown in Figure 14 the pivotally mounted arm support 11 is depressed so that the sprocket gears 8| and 82 are out of engagement with the film opening and the clamping hooks ||8 are out of engagement with the clamping loops, I8. With the sprocket gears out of engagement with the film openings the magazine 25 will be in a position to be disengaged from the housing, providing the slide is in its fully inserted position as shown in Fig. 6. Also mounted on the shaft H6 is a gear |20 (Fig. 6) which engages a rack |2| which in turn operates another gear |22 to operate a pair of clamping members |23 similar to those hereinbefore described. The clamping members engage suitable hook loops 524 simultaneously with the engagement of the rst mentioned loops.

Also mounted on the shaft ||6 is a cam memoer l25 (Fig. 7) positioned so that when the shaft is in such position that the hooks are in engagement with the looped openings, the cam will be in the position as shown in Figure '1 which will eiect a closing of the switch indicated generally at $26 and more presently to be described in connection with the electrical circuit. On the right side of the housing (Figs. 6 and 8) I provide a switch |21 which is adapted to be closed by the dark plate when the dark plate is in its fully withdrawn or out position, i. e., when the exposure opening is uncovered. To enclose the entire actuating mechanism I provide a suitable light tight casing |30a. In the side wall of the casing (Figures 16, l? and 18) I provide a shaft |30 supported in a bushing i3 i, on which shaft is mounted a pulley 32. Around the pulley I provide a spring belt 33 which is in engagement with the pulley Sil, so that as the sprocket gears are operating the takeup spool will likewise be rotated to take up on the nlm. Supported in a suitable bushing i3d in the wall of the magazine housing l provide a shaft on which is mounted the takeup spool il. Between the shaft |30 and the shaft provide a positive acting clutching member 236 oy which, when the clutches are engaged as shown in Figure 16, both shafts will rotate simultaneously. However, if it is desired to remove the magazine from the housing the shaft i538 is moved towards the left out of engagement with the spring retaining members |31 and the clutch is disengaged, after which the magazine is no longer locked to the shaft |33. To normally retain the takeup spool onthe shaft i l' provide a spring 38 secured to the inside ci the :.nagaaine which urges the-takeup roller tou/'a 's the left as shown in Figure 16. The side wail of the r i Electrical circuit closed. however, the slide is not in retracted position or the magazine is not locked to the housing, the switches l21 and I 26 would he open and the closing of the manually operated switch 50 to start machine in operation would be of no avail. Assuming that the slide is in its retracto-:i position in which event the switch |21 will he closed, and the magazine locked to the housing with the switch |26 closed, the machine will be in condition for operation by the closing of the manual switch 56. The current will pass from its source through wire |5|, switches |21, |26 and 56 to the relay 552 to wire |15 to contact point HS which is normally in contact with the switch plate i1?. The current will pass through the plate il? to wires |18, |19, and return through wire |30 to complete the circuit. Relay |52 will be energized to draw plate |53 towards it to make contact at |3|. The current will then pass through wires |82, |83 through plate |53 through Contact point |0| through wire |54 to the solenoid |55, through wires |04, |19 and returned through wire |80. The solenoid |55 will be magnetized to move the cone |05 and rack |03 to the left and rotate pinion |00 counterclockwlse, to effect the operation of the actuating mechanism to advance the nlm. As the rack moves to the left the switch plate |11 will be moved with it to open the circuit at contact point |16 and close the circuit through points |80 and |81. The relay |52 will be rie-energized and the circuit to the solenoid 49 will be closed through wires |32, |39, points |81 and |85 through switch |95 and wires |33 and |30. The solenoid 49 will be energized to move the bar outwardly to lock in engagementwith the post and lock the housing against vertical movement. As the bar I 03 is moved to its furthest left position the core extension |05a strikes plate |53 to move it the full line position (shown in Fig. 19) to move the plate away from point |8I, thus breaking the circuit to the solenoid |55, which will cause the bar 03 to move to be drawn to the right, by the spring |01. As the bar moves in that direction it will rotate the pinion |00 clockwise and through the actuating mechanism cause the commutator 91 to rotate clockwise, so that the brushes will be in contact with the conducting segments of the commutator. As the commutator is rotating the current will iiow through wires |92 and |90, through brush 99, commutator 91, brush 99a, wire |9| to lamps |56 to illuminate same and out through wire |93.

Simultaneously with the clockwise movement of the commutator, the plate |02 and cam |04 will likewise rotate clockwise to actuate the levers |05 to operate the shutter of the lens. Thus it will be seen lthat upon the return movement of the rack after the illm is positioned in its new position, the lights are illuminated and the shutter tripped simultaneously for exposure of the film. As said action takes place, the circuit to the solenoid i9 remains closed so that the ratchet teeth are in engagement with the post and thus the housing is positively locked against movement.

When the rack |03 has reached rthe full end of its movement to the right, it will move plate 511 back to the position shown in Fig. 19, which will open the circuit through contacts |86 and 21, thus cie-energizing solenoid 41 to release its locking engagement with the post. Thus the machine is conditioned for a repeat operation by closing of the switch |50.

|95 is a full wave rectifying unit, connected in the circuit so that when alternating current is used, it will be converted into direct current for the operating mechanism, and will eliminate vibration and hum which would otherwise arise from the use of alternating current to actuate the solenoids and relays. This unit can be cut out by a suitable switch (not shown) where direct current is used.

I claim:

l. In a device of the class described including a supporting table for the object to be copied, a housing. having a transparent plate at the lower end thereof and a film magazine and a camera positioned at the top thereof, all movable vertically as a unit with said housing, said film magazine detachably mounted on said housing, said supporting table having Ia. plurality of sections each movable vertically independent of the other, border members surrounding said sections and adapted tc effect a light seal with said transparent plate.

2. A device of the class described including a support for the object to be copied, a. housing movable vertically with respect to said support, a transparent plate on said housing, said plate adapted to be positioned on the object to be copied, acamera mounted on said housing in fixed focus with relation to said plate, means for automatically immovably locking said housing with respect to said support and simultaneously operating said camera.

support vfor the objectv to be copied, a housing structure movable vertically with respect to said support, said housing structure having illuminating means therein, a camera mounted on said housing, a magazine containing fllm removably mounted on said housing structure, means for advancing said film, an electrical switch for actuating means whereby said housing structure is immovably locked in position over the object to be copied and said film advancing means simultaneously actuated to place a film in position for exposure.

4. A device of the class described including a support for the object to be copied, a housing vertically movable with relation to said support, a `transparent plate secured to the lower end of said housing and adapted to be positioned over the object to be copied, a camera mounted on said housing in fixed focus with relation to said plate, a film magazine provided with an exposure opening detachably mounted on said housing in alignment with said camera, a slide for closing said opening, saidA slide when in retracted position adapted to prevent detachment of said magazine from said housing and to permit operation of said camera.

5. In a device of the class described, a support for the object to be copied, a housing structure vertically movablewith relation to said support, a transparent plate and a camera both maintained rigidly in fixed focus relationship by said housing structure, a film magazine provided with an exposure opening detachably mounted on said housing structure and in alignment with said camera, a slide for closing said opening, means for locking said magazine on said housing structure, said slide when in retracted position adapted to further lock said magazine on said housing to prevent detachment therefrom.

-6. In a device of the class described, a supporting table for the objects to be copied, a

housing of rigid construction, a transparent plate at the lower end thereof, a camera and a film magazine mounted on the top thereof, all movable vertically as a unit with said housing, said magazine detachably secured to said housing and provided with means for locking said magazine to said housing while said camera is being operated.

'1. In a device of the class described, a sup-'- port for the object to be copied, a movable housing having illuminating means therewithin, a transparent plate secured to the lower end of said housing and adapted to bel positioned over the object to be copied, a camera in fixed focus with relation to said plate mounted on said housing, a magazine containing film detachably mounted on said housing in alignment with said camera, means positioned externally of said magazine for advancing said film, said means 3. A device of the class described including a.'

including a shaft having a pair of sprockets for engagement with said nlm, a pair of oppositeiy rotatable ratchet wheels mounted on said shaft, a pair of oppositely directed pawls, one of said pawls adapted to engage one of said ratchet wheels for rotating said shaft in one direction to rotate said sprockets,` the other of said pawls adapted to engage 'the other of said ratchet wheels to rotate said ratchet wheel in the opposite direction and simultaneously rotate therewith a commutator for actuating said illuminating means.

8. A device ofthe class described including a support for theobject to be copied,v a housing,

structure verticallymovable'with respect to'said support, illuminating means within said hausing structure. a transparent plate supported by said housing structure.. a camera lsupported on said housing structure in fixed focus with relation to said plate, Ia magazine. containing film detachably mounted on' said housing, means for advancing said film, an electrical switch adapted to actuate means to cause said housing to be immovably locked with respect to said support and simultaneously to actuate said film advancing means to place a film in position for exposure,

means for simultaneously automatically actuat.

ing said illuminating means and operating a shutter in said camera to expose said film when said film is so positioned, said illuminating means automatically adapted to be extinguished and said housing structure adapted to be unlocked when the exposure of said film has'been effected.v

9. In a photographic copying apparatus of the character described, a housing structure having opaque walls, a camera positioned on said housing, a transparent plate mounted on said housing and in the focal plane oi said camera, a supporting table for the object to be copied, said i table comprising a plurality of elements each being independently reciprocable in a vertical direction and supported on resilient housing being movable vertically relative to said supporting table and arranged to be positioned so that said plate contacts the object to be cop ied, the said elements thereupon moving to varying depths to accommodate the object but resiliently retaining said object in engagement with said plate and in the focal plane of said camera, those of said elements not supporting means, said v said object contacting said plate and providing an effective seal for opposing the passage of light from and into said housing.

10. In a photographic copying apparatus of the character described, a housing structure having opaque walls, a camera positioned on said housing, a transparent plate mounted on said housing and in fixed focal relationship with respect to said camera, a supporting table for the object to be copied, saidtable comprising a plurality of unit sections, each of said unit sections being independently yieldable, said housing being vertically movable relative to said supporting tablev and arranged to be positioned so that said plate contacts the object to be copied, the

said unit sections thereupon yieldably moving'to the object to varying portions to accommodate be copied and resiliently retaining said object in contact with said plate and in the focal plane of said camera, those of said unit sections not supporting said object arranged to contact said plate and to provide an effective seal for opposing the passage of light from. and into said housing.

11. In a photographic copying apparatus of the character described. means for supporting an object to be copied, a housing having a transparent plate fixed in the lowermost portion thereof and being vertically movable relative to said supporting means, a camera iixed on said housing so that the lower surface of said plate is in the focal plane of said camera, said housing with said camera adapted to be moved whereby the object to be copied is positioned in the focal plane of said camera, and means for initiating operation of the camera and locking said housing against movement relative to the object when said housing is so positioned.

12. In a photographic copying apparatus of the character described, a housing, a supporting structure therefore, said housing having opaque walls and being vertically movable relative to said supporting structure, a camera mounted on said housing, a transparent plate mounted in fixed focal relationship with respect to said housing, illuminating means mounted interiorly of said housing and arranged so that the incident rays of light from said illuminating means will be reilected to points beyond the lens of said camera, a platen mounted on said supporting structure, said platen having a resilient peripheral sealing strip mounted thereon, said strip arranged to contact the edges of the transparent plate so that objects to be copied may be placed on the platen and transmission oi' light into the housing is prevented.

CHARLES LIEBMAN. 

